Review: 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change'

"Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit."

Southington, CT - ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect,’ ‘Now Change!’ is a great musical with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. The charming Arts at Angeloria’s production was directed by Kristina Passier, who made her acting debut at this unique venue as Agnes Gooch in ‘Mame.’ Angeloria, also known as Lori Holm, is the producer/executive & artistic director of the ever-growing A@A family.

The story of loving relationships will run during Valentines Day. The two acts are presented in the form of a series of vignettes. With few exceptions, the scenes stand independent of the others, but they progress in a fashion designed to suggest an overall arc of relationships throughout the course of a person’s life. Despite the large number of characters, the show is typically done with a comparatively small cast: the original Off-Broadway production used a cast of four. Here a cast of three men and three women bring the various couples to life to make us laugh often, sometimes nod in agreement and even to tear up.

The “perfectionists” include Ed Rosenblatt as the music director. Bill D’Andrea serves as an able accompanist on a piano in the corner of the stage. Christopher Zajac is the photographer, program designer (I loved the vintage valentines) and technical director. There was no credit given for the costumes, but the cast had loads of wardrobe changes in and out of perfectly selected outfits. This venue is so up close and personal that any costume missteps would be hard to hide.

The “lovers” are played by a talented half dozen actors that all had many varied characters to pull off. Ben Isabella changed his costume and his hair to play many of the younger guys; my favorite was his take on a jailed murderer in “Scared Straight.” Mr. Isabella’s real life wife Jacqueline Isabella played many younger women and her best scene was probably as Rose Ritz, a recently divorced woman taping a video dating interview.

Tim Throckmorton is a tenor that has appeared in many Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and his voice was on display as many of the guys in various couples, especially a funny new father. Kristen Norris is the resident choreographer at Connecticut Theatre Company; I remember her choreography in ‘Chicago,’ ‘Hairspray’ and ‘Once on This Island.’ She has a wonderful singing voice and an easy stage presence that made all of her appearances memorable.

Bill Rodman of Southington has appeared on the stage at the Warner Theatre and Musicals at Richter, but this marks his A@A debut. He changed easily into his various guy roles, but his most memorable for me was as the older gentleman in “Funerals Are For Dating.” As the older woman in the scene, Stephanie Kull of Simsbury (who appeared in ‘The Crooked House Murder’) was in her element. She has also worked on the Warner stage, with the Castle Craig Players and in two television movies.

I always enjoy this little musical and this one was lovingly directed and performed. It is often very funny, the music is charming and clever, and the two acts fly by. Remaining show dates 2/14 (special chocolate and roses performance), 2/16, 2/17, & 2/18. Go to theartsatangelorias.com theatre page to get your tickets today and save $5!

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and she posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417